CFP: Crisis in the Academy (2/15/06; 4/21/06-4/22/06)

The Program in Comparative Literary and Cultural Studies at the Universityof Connecticut is organizing an interdisciplinary conference on April 21-22,2006. Its objective is to launch a broad inquiry and to generate systematicreflection about a complex problem, which, though frequently cited andclearly integral to everything we do as scholars and teachers, remainscritical and unsolved, in part because it is so difficult to analyze. Whatdoes it really mean to speak of a "crisis in the academy" in a society whichgives more and more of its citizens access to four years of schooling incomfortable surroundings, protected from the responsibilities and risks thatothers must face in society?This conference hopes to engage debate on all aspects of higher education,including such obvious questions as:

*Why do we teach what we teach? What do we teach when we teach?*Who are the students and why are they learning?*How do we teach?*What are they learning, to what end?*Do students need to be able to return to learn at different stages of life?*What is the impact upon the academy (and vice versa) of dramatic worldevents occurring 'outside' it?*What is the impact of postmodern, virtual, consumer cyber-culture on whatwe persist in calling a 'Liberal Arts Education'? Is such a thing obsolete?*What is the real logic behind academic initiatives such as'inter-disciplinarity', 'diversity' and 'multiculturalism'; how are theyimplemented and to what effect?*Is the academy simply attempting to downsize, or is it engaging in therhetoric of political correctness to *increase enrollments and ratings?*Is the university moving into a predominantly service-oriented role withrespect to the culture, providing a costly sort of vocational training?*Why are Americans perceived to be ignorant?*What does this mean in a society considered to be a world leader in so manyfields?*What does contemporary culture really need from its educationalinstitutions?*What is, should, or should not, be the role of government in highereducation?*Who are making critical decisions regarding admissions, funding, staffing,and curricula?

The Conference welcomes papers on any aspect of the question, on anydiscipline, or any related topic. Abstracts of 250 words includinginstitutional affiliation and contact information are due by February 15,2006. Abstract should be emailed as in-line text, not as attachments. Pleasesend materials to CLCS_at_UConn.edu or Lucy.McNeece_at_UConn.edu.